Ex-teammates of former Ohio State football player Willie "Chico" Nelson are remembering a man who they say had a big personality and a big smile.
Grove City police say the former OSU safety died of an apparent self-inflicted gun shot wound to the chest.
"The officers responded to the scene, they went inside where the caller indicated where the shot was. And once inside they found a male in a bedroom deceased from a gunshot wound," said Grove City Police Sgt. Chris White.
Nelson grew up in Florida and was a captain and three-year starter for OSU in the early 1990s.
Just hearing the news about Chico. Always enjoyed his passion & big personality. Just shocked. I'm so sorry. RIP 13. https://t.co/tdMwIoijac
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) May 17, 2016
So sad to hear the news about Chico Nelson. I was just with him at an event in Sarasota last week. Rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/N4XIoKZWTW
— robert smith (@Robert26Smith) May 17, 2016
Absolutely unreal. Smile could light up any room. Will miss you brother. #RIPChico #13 #hammer
— Matt Finkes (@MattFinkes) May 17, 2016